Gaming Build, is it worth the money?

[LAG269]

I will be including Combo discount prices in this list.
I would very much appreciate feedback on this build.
Thank you.

COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case


-$20.00 Instant


$159.98
$139.98




SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5



$54.99




OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G1600LV6GK


$20.00 Mail-in Rebate Card20-227-365

$149.99




EVGA 141-BL-E757-TR LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX X58 SLI LE Intel Motherboard



$20.00 Mail-in Rebate13-188-049

$239.99



XFX HD-577A-ZNFC Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper XT) 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card


Antec TruePower New TP-750 Blue 750W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.3 / EPS12V V2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE

-$50.00 Instant
-$20.00 Combo


$349.94
$279.94



Intel Core i7-920 Bloomfield 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920



$288.99





Subtotal: $1,153.88



Links to Items

CASE http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160

HARD DRIVE http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

RAM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227365

MOTHERBOARD http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188049

GRAPHICS CARD / POWER SUPPLY http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.315384

PROCESSOR http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.310899



This is my first build.. sorry if the parts list wasn't well organized.

I would like to know if this is a good build, and worth the money. I find myself changing it around often.
I want to be able to run Crysis at MAX settings also, im not sure if this would do it.
I eventually plan on buying another graphics card later on so i can run them at the same time.
I'm not sure if this is a good build or worth the money... but those are the two most important things to me right now.
My father is paying for this computer, so i have to be sure im making a good choice here.

Thank you very much for reading my post, and thanks again if you reply to this!
I really need some help here.

 

[wiley23]

Fairly uninformed opinion alert, but it seems to me that you could save money by going to an i5 without sacrificing much (if anything) in game performance.

 

[LAG269]

I also PLAN on upgrading to 12GB of ram later when i have the extra cash also.

 

[Griffolion]

Just gonna stop you right there LAG, but wiley's comment was far from uninformed, I5 is far better for a gaming rig because its cheaper and gives negligible decreases in performance that you'll never ever notice for a greatly reduced price. Also, even if you stick with the I7 rig (overpowered as it is for gaming right now) 12 GB is more than overkill for gaming, the most intensive multi-threaded applications wont even scratch 12 GB of memory.

Here's what you need to get (specific manufacturer choices are up to you):

Intel Core I5 750 2.66 GHz
P55 (socket 1156) motherboard (not asrock, preferably asus or gigabyte)
4 GB DDR3 Memory (1600 MHz is the optimal price-performance option)
650W PSU (preferably corsair) or 850W if you're running high spec crossfire
The Spinpoint F3 choice was a sound one.

 

[LAG269]

Just gonna stop you right there LAG, but wiley's comment was far from uninformed, I5 is far better for a gaming rig because its cheaper and gives negligible decreases in performance that you'll never ever notice for a greatly reduced price. Also, even if you stick with the I7 rig (overpowered as it is for gaming right now) 12 GB is more than overkill for gaming, the most intensive multi-threaded applications wont even scratch 12 GB of memory.

Here's what you need to get (specific manufacturer choices are up to you):

Intel Core I5 750 2.66 GHz
P55 (socket 1156) motherboard (not asrock, preferably asus or gigabyte)
4 GB DDR3 Memory (1600 MHz is the optimal price-performance option)
650W PSU (preferably corsair) or 850W if you're running high spec crossfire
The Spinpoint F3 choice was a sound one.

Very good information. Thanks!


I plan on keeping this computer for years possibly. And i thought 1GB graphics card, 6GB of tri channel ram, i7 processor, would probably good even in the future. I can only spend about 1,100$ on this computer. What would you suggest?

 

[Niklas_13]

Like the OP said the i5 750 is a grate CPU for gaming. It will in most cases beat the i7 920 in game benchmarks. Going with the s1156 will keep costs down so you have a little more money to put in a GPU where in a gaming rig it should go anyways. The X58 MOBOs give you 16x16 vs 8x8x on the P55 MOBOs sure but that's only a 4 % loss. Going with the i5 750 now gets you a HD 5850 witch is a grate gaming card and its like having 2 HD 5770s now so if you add another HD 5850 down the road you will be better off then with two HD 5770s.

Anyways like i said before this is my 2 cents



SAMSUNG DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223L LightScribe Support - OEM
Item #: N82E16827151188
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
Service Net Replacement Extended Warranty Plan
The product will be replaced and shipped directly to you at no charge(more info)
• 1 year: $6.99
• 2 year: $11.99
$31.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151188

COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Item #: N82E16811119197
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$10.00 Instant
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate
$109.98
$99.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822152181
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$54.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power ... - Retail
Item #: N82E16817139006
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$20.00 Instant
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$139.99
$119.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

G.SKILL ECO Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBECO - Retail
Item #: N82E16820231321
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy
$109.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231321


• SAPPHIRE 100282SR Radeon HD 5850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card w/ATI Eyefinity - Retail
Item #: N82E16814102857
Return Policy: VGA Replacement Only Return Policy
• Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
Item #: N82E16832116754
Return Policy: Software Return Policy
-$20.00 Combo
$414.98
$394.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.298043


• Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80605I5750 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819115215
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
• GIGABYTE GA-P55A-UD4P LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard w/ USB 3.0 & SATA 6 Gb/s - Retail
Item #: N82E16813128409
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy
-$20.00 Combo
$384.98
$364.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.319612
Subtotal: $1,176.90


If you like to dapple into OCing your CPU pick up a HSF http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

If that puts you over budget get this case http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137 that should keep you under your 1200 budget

Make sure you read up on how to flash your BIOs
Keep all your drivers, and updates new and you should be fine

GL

 

[babachoo]

Like the OP said the i5 750 is a grate CPU for gaming. It will in most cases beat the i7 920 in game benchmarks.

Sorry, but that's complete BS. I've studied I5-750 versus I7-920 benchmarks for 2 months and the I7 always performs better. Don't listen to anyone here that can't even spell simple words like "great" correctly.

Also, the I5 platform is probably going to be a dead-end very soon, whereas the I7 x58 platform already have 6 core processors and future developments in the works. Anyone who recommends an I5 and says it beats the i7 920 is more than likely someone who bought the i5 and now regrets their choice, but secretly hopes everyone else will buy an I5 so that they won't feel so foolish for making an uninformed purchase.

 

[Niklas_13]

Sorry, but that's complete BS. I've studied I5-750 versus I7-920 benchmarks for 2 months and the I7 always performs better. Don't listen to anyone here that can't even spell simple words like "great" correctly.

Also, the I5 platform is probably going to be a dead-end very soon, whereas the I7 x58 platform already have 6 core processors and future developments in the works. Anyone who recommends an I5 and says it beats the i7 920 is more than likely someone who bought the i5 and now regrets their choice, but secretly hopes everyone else will buy an I5 so that they won't feel so foolish for making an uninformed purchase.

BS ?

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=3641&p=7

http://www.*****/forum/hardware-canucks-reviews/22151-intel-lynnfield-core-i5-750-core-i7-870-processor-review-17.html

Read this one also about 16x16x vs 8x8x http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/p55-pci-express-scaling,2517.html


Now show me where the i7 920 wins in gaming

 

[liquidsnake718]

BS ?

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=3641&p=7

http://www.*****/forum/hardware-canucks-reviews/22151-intel-lynnfield-core-i5-750-core-i7-870-processor-review-17.html

Read this one also about 16x16x vs 8x8x http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/p55-pci-express-scaling,2517.html


Now show me where the i7 920 wins in gaming

I think you need to read the article a bit closer.... it clearly says that for longer usability and future upgrades such as a second and even third GPU AND hexacore to octocore chips, the X58 wins hands down. As for the single card config... yeah the X58 loses 1-3frames MAX in certain games and applications. That is nothing. Once you overclock that will mean nothing. The upside to the P55, H55,H57, is that its cheaper and there are many mainstream cpus to choose from now, but otherwise the X58 is still for the serious pc people. Im not saying P55 is not a serious motherboard as it is still better than my current setup but if you want to use the motherboard a bit longer, x58 is the way to go. its a year older but a seasoned year older and still better when supped up with the overclocked core i7920 and when Ram AND GPU's are superclocked.

If you want to compare, the core i7 in terms of popularity and gamers opinions the core i7 920 is like the older core2quad q6600. It was fun and great for gaming. It could also be clocked to 4.0ghz on air if done right. This made the chip as fun and as good as the more expensive core2extremes! Much like how the 920 is compared to the i7 950 which is around $600-900!!!

 

[fatfatr]

An i7 CPU is unnessacery for gaming. You should stick with an i5 or the AMD phenom II 955BE at your budget. I prefer the 955BE since it's a bit cheaper and gives almost eqiuvalent performance in games. The i5 on the other hand performs much better in other applications so the choice is up to you.
You can build a nice tower with the 5850/955 at around $950. As for the PSU, the recommended wattage for a 5850 in CF is 600 so you'll be fine IMO with a 650W corsair or a 700W stealthXstream OCZ and still have room for a moderate OC. Here's a nice build :AMD 955/5850 if you prefer the i5 the cost will go up to around $1010.

 

[Niklas_13]

I think you need to read the article a bit closer.... it clearly says that for longer usability and future upgrades such as a second and even third GPU AND hexacore to octocore chips, the X58 wins hands down. As for the single card config... yeah the X58 loses 1-3frames MAX in certain games and applications. That is nothing. Once you overclock that will mean nothing. The upside to the P55, H55,H57, is that its cheaper and there are many mainstream cpus to choose from now, but otherwise the X58 is still for the serious pc people. Im not saying P55 is not a serious motherboard as it is still better than my current setup but if you want to use the motherboard a bit longer, x58 is the way to go. its a year older but a seasoned year older and still better when supped up with the overclocked core i7920 and when Ram AND GPU's are superclocked.

If you want to compare, the core i7 in terms of popularity and gamers opinions the core i7 920 is like the older core2quad q6600. It was fun and great for gaming. It could also be clocked to 4.0ghz on air if done right. This made the chip as fun and as good as the more expensive core2extremes! Much like how the 920 is compared to the i7 950 which is around $600-900!!!

OK this is what i am trying to tell him is that the i5 750 and i7 920 as you pointed out also ( yeah the X58 loses 1-3frames MAX in certain games and applications. That is nothing. Once you overclock that will mean nothing ) So they are close and both would do well for games...... both can be OCed

Now the x58 MOBOs have the 16x16 lane sure so there 4% faster witch is 8 or 9 FPS we can read this http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/message.php?ref=0&numrep=0&config=tomshardwareus.inc&cat=31&post=278019&page=1&p=1&subcat=322&sondage=0&owntopic=0&new=0 Anyways lets take both boards P55 or X58
i think with 2 HD 5850 in 2 way xfire you would be maxing everything out but crysis anyways so really what is any FPS past your monitors rez anyways your not going to see 100 FPS vs 60.

Anyways i think a P55, i5 750, with a HD 5850 setup vs a lower end x58 i7 920 with a HD 5770 would be better for him.

 

[LAG269]

OK this is what i am trying to tell him is that the i5 750 and i7 920 as you pointed out also ( yeah the X58 loses 1-3frames MAX in certain games and applications. That is nothing. Once you overclock that will mean nothing ) So they are close and both would do well for games...... both can be OCed

Now the x58 MOBOs have the 16x16 lane sure so there 4% faster witch is 8 or 9 FPS we can read this http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/message.php?ref=0&numrep=0&config=tomshardwareus.inc&cat=31&post=278019&page=1&p=1&subcat=322&sondage=0&owntopic=0&new=0 Anyways lets take both boards P55 or X58
i think with 2 HD 5850 in 2 way xfire you would be maxing everything out but crysis anyways so really what is any FPS past your monitors rez anyways your not going to see 100 FPS vs 60.

Anyways i think a P55, i5 750, with a HD 5850 setup vs a lower end x58 i7 920 with a HD 5770 would be better for him.

I actually WANT to max out crysis. I guess i can't though..

 

[Niklas_13]

Yeah your looking @ 2 GTX 295 in SLI or a HD 5970 to get crysis maxed out and that is about 800 for GPUs alone

 

[a4mula]

A x58 build is going to run on average 250 dollars more than a similar p55 build.

x58 advantages:

Hyperthreading - for general purpose computing, does nothing for games at best, hinders overclocking at worst. This isn't even an x58 advantage, as there are p55 chips that offer HT, but for our conversation of 920 vs 750 it holds.

Gulftown support - Yes certain x58 boards have been vendor qualified to support the hexacores. That being said it's doubtful we'll see a Gulftown drop under the 1k mark anytime in the next 18 months. As it stands the i7 980x is the only roadmapped version. By the time we do see mainstream versions of the Gulftown, most people are going to upgrade their mobo to a more current chipset.

PCIE lanes: As it stands today this is the only reason to consider x58 as a gaming platform. Unlike it's p55 counterpart which supports on-die pcie lanes that are maxxed at 16x the x58 can handle as many concurrent pcie lanes as the board specifies. Do you need tri-sli? Are you going to run dual 5970's? If so, x58 is for you.

P55 advantages:

Power Consumption - 95w vs 130w. Not a big deal you say? It is when you start to overclock. An overclocked i7 920 @ 4ghz under full load will consume a whopping 247w of power. The same i5 750? 118w. P55 does away with the conventional Northbridge. Overall your rig will run cooler, more stable, and draw less from the wall.

Ondie PCIE - Yes, this actually is an advantage. Because you don't have to route graphic information through the NB any longer you're cutting away one less area to bottleneck and slow down.

Turbo Boost - If you overclock or not it doesn't matter. Turbo Boost is much more aggressive on the 750 than the 920. The natural lack of HT gave Intel the freedom to really expand on this feature. Most games are only going to utilize a single cpu core (and 2 at most). When that happens turbo boost kicks in and adds additional clock cycles to the active cores while disabling the non-active. This is available through both p55 and x58, but the i5 750's is a much more aggressive version of it.


To sum things up:
If you are going to run a tri/quad gpu solution, or you have a spare 1k to drop on a Gulftown buy a x58. Otherwise, you're better off with a p55.